hitter of all time...and not just for the numbers he put up...here are some of the 'other' reasons why...based on my observations...
>Barry's efficiency at the plate (i.e. # of swings per HR) has to be the best ever...very, very few misses or fouls...when he swung the ball went out...
>Barry's 'eye' also extended to an incredible number of walks...he was so efficient that most teams intentionally walked him...in the middle of the season...the right field wall near the foul pole had a rack on it for "rubber chickens" each time he got one of those IWs...(i.e. razzing the other team for 'chickening out')
>PEDs don't help a batter make good choices on which pitches to swing at...Barry was simply the best...and with his power - even before PEDs - he was destined to set those records.
One other thing on PEDs...MLB...and Tony LaRussa...had to be aware of widespread PED use when the "Bash Brothers" (McGuire and Canseco) were winning the '89 WS (sour grapes on my part)...but they did nothing about it, probably because they were filling stadiums and making money for the teams and the league...singling out Barry as the 'pariah' for PEDs is a cheap shot and needs to stop. It's time to whole-heartedly applaud Barry's HR greatness.
Another Disclosure: I grew up in NYC as a Yankee fan...still admire them...and am "Over the Moon" that Aaron Judge hit his 62nd HR.